Gambling expansion blocked

Thursday, May 8, 2003 | 10:06 a.m.

TOPEKA, Kan. -- It took more than three months to bring gambling proposals to the Senate floor but only a few hours to reject two measures to expand gambling in Kansas.

Not only did senators vote 34-4 against a gambling bill this week, they took an extra procedural step -- voting against reconsidering their action -- to make sure the bill remained dead.

The bill would have permitted slot machines and other electronic gambling devices at Kansas' five dog and horse tracks if local voters approved.

Proponents had hoped senators would see expanded gambling as a way to provide new revenue for the state. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was pushing for expanded gambling as a way to help the state balance its budget.

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